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Museums can provide a glimpse into civilizations of the past, speak to the artist in you and captivate the imagination. Those with a natural curiosity of the world around them and fun-seekers alike will find value and excitement in a museum vacation. Throughout the United States, museums welcome visitors for a vacation rarely dampened by the weather.

Explore History in Washington, D.C.

Washington D.C.'s Smithsonian Museum features 19 museums, 137 million objects and artworks and welcomed nearly 30 million visitors in 2009. Accessible by the Metrorail subway system, the museum offers visitors a large variety of museums and artifacts to explore. Visitors can explore African art at the African Art Museum or delve into the history of aviation at the Air and Space Museum. The world's largest museum complex also features the Natural History Museum. Visitors should begin their journey at the Smithsonian Information Center located in the Castle after securing maps and floor plans of the Smithsonian. Admission is free for all museums, and food courts and cafes are located throughout the museums. Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Information Center 1000 Jefferson Drive, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20013 202-633-1000 si.edu The 250,000 square foot Newseum offers visitors a chance to interact and explore history through news and event artifacts. Consisting of 14 galleries and 15 theaters, the museum visits important historical events that have been covered in the news over the past five centuries. The Newseum features exhibits on historical places and events, such as the Berlin Wall and 9/11. Newseum 555 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20001 888-639-7386 newseum.org

Connect With Art in Philadelphia

The City of Brotherly Love has a keen attraction and affinity for the arts, as showcased by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. With more than 225,000 objects, the museum showcases art and exhibits covering the Western world, Asia and Europe. The European collection includes items from the Medieval era to the present, including the second-largest collection of arms and armor in the United States. Among the collections on exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art are Presidential China, Constantine Tapestries and several rotating exhibits. The Main Building features 200 galleries, paintings and entire period rooms, while the Perelman Building across the street provides additional exhibit space. Philadelphia Museum of Art 26th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Philadelphia, PA 19130 215-763-8100 philamuseum.org With a special focus on Philadelphia area art and artists, the Woodmere Art Museum contains more than 2,500 works of art and nine galleries. The museum features rotating exhibits and a museum store, where you can purchase local artwork. Woodmere Art Museum 9201 Germantown Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19118 215-247-0476 woodmereartmuseum.org

Have Fun in San Francisco

For a unique experience, visit the Exploratorium in San Francisco. Located within the Palace of Fine Arts, the Exploratorium offers hundreds of interactive exhibits which focus on science, art and human perception. Founded in 1969 by Dr. Frank Oppenheimer, a physicist, the exhibits include explorations of biology, sports science, weather phenomena and the origination of language. For hands-on learning, the Exploratorium offers guests the opportunity to make their own telescopes, make a mummy or dissect a cow's eye. Exploratorium Palace of Fine Arts 3601 Lyon Street San Francisco, CA 94123 415-561-0360 exploratorium.edu/index.html The Cartoon Art Museum offers a unique look at the history of cartoons and comic books. The museum houses more than 6,000 pieces of original cartoon and animation art, a research library and five galleries. The museum features a bookstore and a classroom for lectures and workshops. Cartoon Art Museum 655 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105 415-227-8666 cartoonart.org

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About the Author

Nicole Long is a freelance writer based in Cincinnati, Ohio. With experience in management and customer service, business is a primary focus of her writing. Long also has education and experience in the fields of sports medicine, first aid and coaching. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Cincinnati.